South honours healthcare workers on 72nd anniversary of NHS

Organisations and individuals across the south have paid tribute to the NHS, including a nationwide round of applause to mark its 72nd anniversary.

People gathered to clap at 5pm on Sunday as a way of saying thank you to NHS staff who have worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

In Winchester, staff gathered to sing Happy Birthday and clap for two minutes:

Meanwhile Brighton and Hove and Metrobus drivers gathered at their depots to sing 'We'll Meet Again' and show their gratitude to healthcare workers:

The initiative follows the success of the weekly Clap for Carers, and it is hoped the applause will become an annual tradition.

Landmarks around the south have also been illuminated blue in tribute to the NHS, among them Brighton's i360 and Windsor Castle's Round Tower.

The pop group G4, whose members include Mike Christie from the Isle of Wight, have released a song called 'God bless the NHS'.

They said 'Happy 72nd Birthday #NHSWe'll applaud as one in unity and give thanks for saving lives."

Other emergency services have been thanking their colleagues in the NHS. Surrey Police tweeted about the 'exceptional' work that they do:

While East Sussex Fire Service used the opportunity to remind people that the best way to thanks the NHS is to prevent avoidable call-outs:

Legoland Windsor, which re-opened to the public on Saturday, created its own tribute, a clapping scene made out of Lego.

Meanwhile keyworker children at Yarmouth Primary on the Isle of Wight have been painting pictures to display at Wightlink's terminal in the town.

The ferry company asked teachers if pupils would like to help in a project to thank NHS and other key workers for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Their work can now be seen in the windows of the terminal in Yarmouth where preparations are underway for the re-opening of the Yarmouth to Lymington route on Friday 17 July.